Are any of Copious Bags® pouches eco-friendly or recyclable?

We share your concern about the environmental impact of your product packaging. One major concern and the most often asked question is “Are stand up pouches eco-friendly?” And the quick and simple answer to that question is, yes.

The enormous resources needed to produce packaging is an ever-increasing concern for the industry and the earth-conscious consumer. Traditional packaging such as jars, bottles, and cans are being replaced with more economical and earth-friendly options. Many companies are choosing the stand up pouch as their ideal packaging option.

There are many factors that define eco-friendly packaging, however, for this post we’re going to focus specifically on stand up bags and the four key factors that define eco-friendly:

How We Define Eco-Friendly

1. Re-Usability Equals Less Waste

Today’s earth-conscious consumer gravitates towards reusable products. The short lifespan of most packaging contributes to the growing problem and excess of waste. Because stand up pouches are resealable and reusable, they produce far less waste than traditional single-use packaging.

2. Reduced Material and Fuel Cost

As a whole, flexible packaging requires 75% less material to produce the finished product as compared to bottles, jars, and other hard, inflexible rigid packaging. As a result, the packaging weight is 70% lower which equates to lower shipping costs. Because the products weigh less, they require less fuel per unit to transport, and an overall decrease in energy consumption. Which in turn reduces the carbon footprint and lowers the negative impact on the environment.

3. No Outer Packaging Needed

Stand up pouches are virtually a finished product which makes them an ideal eco-friendly packaging choice. Because these pouches are heat sealable, they require no extra packaging material; no boxes, no plastic clamshells, no plastic seals. Once they are labeled, filled, and heat sealed…they are ready for market.

Consequently, no extra material or energy is needed to manufacture, store, ship or dispose of that additional packaging material.

4. Landfill Friendly

Empty pouches occupy up to 95% less space than their rigid counterparts. Stand up pouches are made with less material, as a result, they generate less waste after disposal. When empty, the pouches are flat, and depending on the size, take up about as much space as a large or small envelope. Therefore they take up very little room in the landfill and are eco-friendly.

Are Copious Bags® Stand Up Pouches Recyclable?

Our Matte Frosted Stand Up Bags and LoPro™ Clear Stand Up Bags are indeed 100% recyclable! Our Kraft Stand Up Pouch Collections are made with recyclable materials, however, due to the multi-layered construction of the bags, they are not classified as recyclable. And here’s why. Water is required to recycle paper, whereas, heat is required to recycle plastic and aluminum foil. Therefore, because the recycling methods for each material are different, our kraft bags are not classified as recyclable.

Keep in mind that all of our bags meet all the requirements of the FDA for direct contact with food and they are BPA free. In general, stand up pouches saves more resources than it consumes.